Paul R. Williams: Classic Hollywood Style
by allthebest • 11 Jul ’12 • profile • 12 Comments
Now that my book is off to the copy editor, I have time to catch up on reading. At the top of my list was Paul R. Williams: Classic Hollywood Style. With a career spanning six decades, architect Paul Revere Williams came to define “gracious living” for the Hollywood elite. Although his hey-day was the 1930’s and 40’s, he designed from the 1920’s to the early 1970’s bringing something new to each period. Williams mastered an array of architectural idioms—including American Colonial, Spanish Mediterranean, English Tudor, French Normandy, Art Deco, and, of course, the California ranch style.
Among the most celebrated architects of his generation, Williams was also the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects, and he was deeply involved in the black community in Los Angeles and in African-American affairs nationally. Williams moved among many worlds, and with celebrity clients such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Tyrone Power, and Barbara Stanwyck. He left his mark in the city’s most glamorous and exclusive enclaves—Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, and the Hollywood Hills.
Paul R. Williams: Classic Hollywood Style is a tour of the prolific architect’s most spectacular houses, by his granddaughter Karen Hudson. The architect’s own writings and interviews accompanying each of the houses presented in the book. I though I would share one quote by Williams that I think is particularly brilliant:
“Planning is thinking beforehand how something is to be made or done, and mixing imagination with the product – which in a broad sense makes all of us planners. The only difference is that some people get a license to get paid for thinking and the rest of us just contribute our good thoughts to our fellow man.”
PALEY RESIDENCE – HOLMBY HILLS, 1936
PALEY RESIDENCE – HOLMBY HILLS, 1936
PALEY RESIDENCE – HOLMBY HILLS, 1936
DEGNAN RESIDENCE- LA CANDA FLINTRIDGE, 1927
DEGNAN RESIDENCE- LA CANDA FLINTRIDGE, 1927
ROSSETTI RESIDENCE- HOLLYWOOD HILLS, 1928
BLACKBURN RESIDENCE – LOS FELIZ, 1927
BLACKBURN RESIDENCE – LOS FELIZ, 1927
© Paul R. Williams: Classic Hollywood Style by Karen E. Hudson, Rizzoli New York, 2012.
Perfect! Thank you for this article. Very inspirational!~best
He was a genius and captured the Los Angeles vision to perfection. thanks. Maru
What incredible, timeless work! He was new to me but I certainly recognize some of the homes you feature here. I just read up a bit more about him on Wikipedia – that he actually mastered the ability to draw upside down so that his white customers didn’t have to sit next to him (given the times). Sad, but remarkable too!!
A remarkable and talented man!
He was a truly remarkable man. After I read your comment about how he can drew upside down, I looked him up in Wikipedia too. There are quite a number of famous Paul Williams but I managed. It is interesting to note that most of these houses he designed, per wikipedia, were on parcels whose deeds included segregation covenants barring blacks from purchasing them.
It was nice to learn about such an amazing architect. His designs are timeless and beautiful to look at/admire.
Thank you for this fabulous post. Wonderful and inspirational.
This book fills an important gap in the literature about American houses, especially those in the far west. I is wonderful that you have celebrated it Thomas Jayne
Thanks Thomas!
Is really inspiring this article. Great job.
Thanks Melody!
I am so happy that I came across this! I cannot wait to read more on his mastering of architectural style and taste. Thanks for sharing! I needed the inspiration